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David McK (3372 KP) rated The Folded World in Books
Jan 28, 2019
Christmas 2014/early 2015.
There was a gift pack available in Easons, with said sealed pack including 2 sci-fi film magazines, and one of six Star Trek novels. As the pack was sealed, there was obviously no way of knowing which novel is in which pack.
When I purchased said pack, this is the novel that was in mine - if I'm honest, it's probably not one that I would have picked up in a bookstore, nor was it the novel I was hoping would be included.
Set during The Original Series era (i.e the original TV series) of Star Trek, this obviously therefore includes all the central character of said TV show: Captain James T Kirk, Scotty, Spock, Dr 'Bones' McCoy, etc. That is, the 'original' of those characters, rather than those in the more-recent J.J. Abrams reboot.
The plot has to do with Captain Kirk and co receiving a distress call while en-route to a diplomatic mission, and boarding a spaceship unlike any they have ever seen before, where (once again) the usual rules of time and space do not apply.
While readable enough, I have to say, it's also pretty forgettable, with nothing to really convince me to pick up other books by this author, or (while I admit it may be somewhat unfair to base my perception of the whole on this alone) to go looking for other Star Trek books unless they come highly recommended.
There was a gift pack available in Easons, with said sealed pack including 2 sci-fi film magazines, and one of six Star Trek novels. As the pack was sealed, there was obviously no way of knowing which novel is in which pack.
When I purchased said pack, this is the novel that was in mine - if I'm honest, it's probably not one that I would have picked up in a bookstore, nor was it the novel I was hoping would be included.
Set during The Original Series era (i.e the original TV series) of Star Trek, this obviously therefore includes all the central character of said TV show: Captain James T Kirk, Scotty, Spock, Dr 'Bones' McCoy, etc. That is, the 'original' of those characters, rather than those in the more-recent J.J. Abrams reboot.
The plot has to do with Captain Kirk and co receiving a distress call while en-route to a diplomatic mission, and boarding a spaceship unlike any they have ever seen before, where (once again) the usual rules of time and space do not apply.
While readable enough, I have to say, it's also pretty forgettable, with nothing to really convince me to pick up other books by this author, or (while I admit it may be somewhat unfair to base my perception of the whole on this alone) to go looking for other Star Trek books unless they come highly recommended.
See Ya Later: The World According to Arron Crascall
Book
A hilarious window into the world of comedian and social-media star Arron Crascall. In the same vein...
Sarah (7798 KP) rated The Man in the High Castle in Books
Jan 8, 2018
Great idea, not very well executed
I was sorely disappointed on this book. I’ve never seen the tv show either, so had nothing whatsoever to bias my views. On paper this is a fantastic idea for a dystopian future, I just felt that it wasn’t very well excecuted or, I’m ashamed to say, very well written either.
I found that I cared very little for the characters, and the plot itself seemed very plodding and boring at times. I read to the end as it was only short and I kept hoping for more, but it never delivered. Yes the ending was good, but could’ve been so more much more. I’m actually very frustrated as this is such a great idea, i love dystopian future novels and this could’ve been so much better than it is. I like Philip K Dick, but I keep imagining how differently this story could’ve been told in the hands of another author.
I found that I cared very little for the characters, and the plot itself seemed very plodding and boring at times. I read to the end as it was only short and I kept hoping for more, but it never delivered. Yes the ending was good, but could’ve been so more much more. I’m actually very frustrated as this is such a great idea, i love dystopian future novels and this could’ve been so much better than it is. I like Philip K Dick, but I keep imagining how differently this story could’ve been told in the hands of another author.
MissCagey (2652 KP) rated Wonder Woman (2017) in Movies
May 2, 2018
I really don't understand all the great reviews this film is getting. I am not a comic book hero fan in general but this was one I was so excited to watch as I LOVED the Wonder Woman tv show when I was younger. I wanted to be Wonder Woman, I dressed as her for a fancy dress....I thought she was AMAZING! When she spun around into her costume, the primary colours, the excitement....just brilliant. And then we have this shambles of a film to honour her, oh dear.
Her costume is drab, the cinematography is drab (other than Themyscira), the story is boring, Gal Gadot can't pick an accent she wants to use the whole way through, the villain is crap, her morals flip flop- she hates war and cries about it and then brings down a church (which contained one sniper) not caring if there are any civilians around, blah blah blah. So disappointing.
Her costume is drab, the cinematography is drab (other than Themyscira), the story is boring, Gal Gadot can't pick an accent she wants to use the whole way through, the villain is crap, her morals flip flop- she hates war and cries about it and then brings down a church (which contained one sniper) not caring if there are any civilians around, blah blah blah. So disappointing.
Molly J (Cover To Cover Cafe) (106 KP) rated Rule of Law in Books
Feb 27, 2019
Randy Singer's RULE OF LAW is an awesome and intriguing read. As someone who loves to watch, and read, legal thrillers, this book is one of the best I have read in a long time. It played out like I was watching an intense, edge of my seat movie or TV Show. Randy Singer did not leave me wanting in this book. From the start, I was intrigued by the characters and their development, along with the way Singer makes the reader feel as if they are in the center of the action. This is definitely a high rated 5 stars for this reader! It is going on my keeper list and will be recommended to all who love an intense, fast paced, heart pounding legal read. Hats off to the talented Singer on a job well done.
*Cafinated Reads received a complimentary copy of this book from LitFuse Blog Tours/Tyndale House Publishers and was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative.*
*Cafinated Reads received a complimentary copy of this book from LitFuse Blog Tours/Tyndale House Publishers and was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative.*
Awix (3310 KP) rated The Prisoner in TV
Mar 5, 2018
Famously cryptic cult TV show still has things to offer anyone willing to enter its peculiar world. Title character (McGoohan) is whisked off to a very strange prison; subsequent episodes revolve around either his attempts to escape, or the Village masters' schemes to force him to reveal his secrets (things get progressively more outlandishly weird as the series progresses).
Visually striking; the plots represent a weird mashing together of typical ITC action-adventure tropes and something altogether more avant-garde and cerebral: typical episode contains both existential pondering of the nature of society and/or the individual self and at least one punch-up. No-one seems entirely sure what it's all supposed to mean - is it about the conflict between the individual and the collective? The divided self? Patrick McGoohan's frustration at the state of his career? Nevertheless, the show's reputation is deserved - the weaker episodes are simply peculiar, the best ones absolutely mesmerising.
Visually striking; the plots represent a weird mashing together of typical ITC action-adventure tropes and something altogether more avant-garde and cerebral: typical episode contains both existential pondering of the nature of society and/or the individual self and at least one punch-up. No-one seems entirely sure what it's all supposed to mean - is it about the conflict between the individual and the collective? The divided self? Patrick McGoohan's frustration at the state of his career? Nevertheless, the show's reputation is deserved - the weaker episodes are simply peculiar, the best ones absolutely mesmerising.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2165 KP) rated The Ambitious Card (An Eli Marks Mystery, #1) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Eli Marks is filling in for his uncle on a TV show. His job is to watch a psychic and then debunk his act. Eli recognizes several of the man’s tricks as variations on magic and says so. What he doesn’t expect is to find himself the chief suspect in the man’s murder the next morning. Can he conjure up the real killer?
I liked the idea of a magician as the sleuth, however, I felt the magic overwhelmed the mystery. That’s a shame because the mystery was very good and kept me confused until the end. Likewise, the characters were interesting. Hopefully, the mystery/magic mix will be better balanced as the series goes forward.
NOTE: I was given a copy of the audio version of this book. My thoughts are my own.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/03/book-review-ambitious-card-by-john.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
I liked the idea of a magician as the sleuth, however, I felt the magic overwhelmed the mystery. That’s a shame because the mystery was very good and kept me confused until the end. Likewise, the characters were interesting. Hopefully, the mystery/magic mix will be better balanced as the series goes forward.
NOTE: I was given a copy of the audio version of this book. My thoughts are my own.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/03/book-review-ambitious-card-by-john.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Bookapotamus (289 KP) rated Why Not Me? in Books
May 29, 2018
Full disclosure - I'm not really familiar with Mindy Kaling. I know she's got a show and she's funny. And Ive seen her on random talk shows here and there, but I've never actually watched one thing she has acted in. But she's funny, and her books get lots of stars, so I thought - why not get to know her?
It's written more like journal entries than a biography, and tell the most random stories with the most random thoughts interspersed. She goes off topic A LOT. But I kinda feel like that's how my brain works too, so I could totally follow. I like this girl's style! She's does talk a lot about her struggles to fit it - and I think that's something we can all relate too.
I think I'll be checking out some more of Mindy's books - and probably a few TV shows? Movies perhaps? Its interesting to get to know a celebrity through a book - I might just try it again sometime.
It's written more like journal entries than a biography, and tell the most random stories with the most random thoughts interspersed. She goes off topic A LOT. But I kinda feel like that's how my brain works too, so I could totally follow. I like this girl's style! She's does talk a lot about her struggles to fit it - and I think that's something we can all relate too.
I think I'll be checking out some more of Mindy's books - and probably a few TV shows? Movies perhaps? Its interesting to get to know a celebrity through a book - I might just try it again sometime.
Kristin (149 KP) rated M in the Demon Realm (M in the Demon Realm, #1) in Books
Dec 7, 2018
Disclaimer: I received a free copy in exchange for an honest (not necessarily positive) review.
When I read the blurb for this book, I was highly intrigued, so I was excited to be able to read it for review. The story is very interesting, with an exciting premise, and it's definitely pulled me in to where I want to read the second part.
The only drawback (for me personally, not necessarily a bad thing for everyone) was the writing style itself. It comes across as more of a description of something, as if someone were dictating a movie or TV show to someone who hadn't seen it (an episode synopsis, if you will). It doesn't have a very narrative flow, which seemed rather odd to me at times, but it's still a very good story, so I was pulled into it regardless. As I said, I'm looking forward to the next part, so it didn't hinder my enjoyment too much. =)
4 stars
When I read the blurb for this book, I was highly intrigued, so I was excited to be able to read it for review. The story is very interesting, with an exciting premise, and it's definitely pulled me in to where I want to read the second part.
The only drawback (for me personally, not necessarily a bad thing for everyone) was the writing style itself. It comes across as more of a description of something, as if someone were dictating a movie or TV show to someone who hadn't seen it (an episode synopsis, if you will). It doesn't have a very narrative flow, which seemed rather odd to me at times, but it's still a very good story, so I was pulled into it regardless. As I said, I'm looking forward to the next part, so it didn't hinder my enjoyment too much. =)
4 stars
Sarah (7798 KP) rated Father Ted in TV
Dec 23, 2018
A classic
I grew up watching Father Ted and loved it then, and I can't believe that over 20 years on, the original few series are still being shown on tv. They really don't make sitcoms like this anymore, it's such a classic and can beat any modern day sitcoms hands down.
You'd never think a comedy about priests on a small island would work, but its absolutely hilarious - mainly due to a great script and a fantastic cast and characters. Ted, Dougal, Jack and Mrs Doyle are such loveable comedic characters, it's hard not to like this show.
It's showing it's age a little now, unsurprising consider it first came out in 1995. Its a shame really that they were never able to make any more series, but in a way this is probably better than them taking it too far (or god forbid doing a modern day series). But it's still brilliant.
You'd never think a comedy about priests on a small island would work, but its absolutely hilarious - mainly due to a great script and a fantastic cast and characters. Ted, Dougal, Jack and Mrs Doyle are such loveable comedic characters, it's hard not to like this show.
It's showing it's age a little now, unsurprising consider it first came out in 1995. Its a shame really that they were never able to make any more series, but in a way this is probably better than them taking it too far (or god forbid doing a modern day series). But it's still brilliant.